Cannabis invalid is jailed

Staff Reporter

An invalid who allowed his loft to be used as a cannabis farm has been jailed for 13 months.

Paul McManus (44) admitted being concerned in the supply of the drug at his home in Wood Crescent, Motherwell.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard plants worth around £4,000 were seized, but defence agent Michael Lott said McManus, who walks with a stick, played only a minor role as he wasn’t physically capable of climbing into the loft.

Mr Lott said others ran the operation and his client’s only reward was some cannabis which he took for pain relief.

Sheriff Douglas Brown described cannabis as a ‘major’ problem and said: “Sentences must reflect the court’s views about this type of activity and deter others.”